Page 24 - Volume 17 Number 4

NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION • focusIndustry Group Proposes Revisions to GA Airport Security GuidelinesAworking group comprised of 16 tion pilots operating from airports withrepresentatives from general aviationorganizations, including NBAA, recently submitted a list of proposed revisions to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security guidance for general aviation (GA) airports.The General Aviation Subgroup of the TSA Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) submitted its recommendations to revise the original “Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports” document published by the agency in 2004.The guidance is a list of voluntary guidelines and recommendations for GA airport owners, operators and users to address aviation security concepts, technology and enhancements. Once published, the new document will be the first revision to that guide since its initial publication.“There were a variety of factors to consider,” explained Doug Carr, NBAA vice president for safety, security & regulation, who also serves as co-chair for the GA subgroup. “The group spent the past six months reviewing the existing guidelines and making updates that better aligned with current TSA policies and the best practices of GA operators.”Among the topics reviewed by the working group was an increased focus on security guidelines for flight school operations, as well as improved airport fencing and the use of gated access and closed-circuit television feeds to monitor ground traffic into secure areas.Carr also noted that in recent years TSA has placed greater emphasis on security procedures at fixed-based operations (FBOs.) This includes the agency’s 2009 directive for security screening and the issuance of personnel badges to allow general avia-commercial airline service unescorted access to secure areas.“There were also some guidelines in the 2004 document that we questioned whether they were still relevant today,” he added. “That said, for the most part the guidelines remained largely intact.”Following TSA review of the changes suggested by the working group, the final version of the revised guidelines is expected to be published in a few months.Carr added the working group will continue to review the TSA guidelines, “to ensure that the interests and concerns of general aviation pilots remain adequately addressed in our shared goal with TSA to improve security at general aviation facilities.” mROBWILSON39/123RF22 • TWIN & TURBINE APRIL 2013